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Virginia one of 13 states approved to allow SNAP purchases online

Households in Virginia will soon be able to purchase food online with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Virginia is one of 13 states approved for online purchasing, bringing the total of states accepting SNAP benefits online to 36 and the District of Columbia. The 36 states are home to more than 90 percent of SNAP participants, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Perdue also announced an expansion of independently owned and operated retail stores beyond those included in the original pilot, meaning more SNAP authorized retailers, under multiple store banners, will be accepting SNAP benefits online.

"We are expanding new flexibilities and innovative programs to make sure Americans across this country have safe and nutritious food during this national emergency," Perdue said in a statement. "Enabling people to purchase foods online will go a long way in helping Americans follow CDC social distancing guidelines and help slow the spread of the coronavirus."

To learn more about the rollout of online purchasing using SNAP, click here.

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